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GIA laser drilled diamond

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Tubbsmalone

Rough_Rock
Joined
May 9, 2014
Messages
30
I am on the hunt for a new diamond. I know I want a RB with J or better color and willing to go down to an I1 depending on the inclusion. My problem is that I’d like to get one around 10-10.5mm with a budget if 25k for the stone. I’m thinking that going with a laser drilled (not filled) diamond might keep me in my budget however, I’m not seeing that search option on any of the reputable diamond databases.
Can someone point me in the right direction as to where I could find a good source for GIA laser drilled stones? Or are they few and far between?
 
For resale purposes? I’m not interested in it as an investment. I know it’s odd but I would prefer an earth mined diamond. Just a quirk for me. I know lab diamonds are beautiful but I can’t wrap my mind around still spending 10k+ for something made in a lab. Not knocking it. Just not for me. I’ve seen some beautiful laser drilled stones but don’t have a way to actually find someone or some vendor that can point me in the direction to purchase.
 
Out of curiosity, how can a lab created diamond hold it’s value if their production ramps up and the market is flooded? Are they expensive or difficult to manufacture? And can they be traced to the manufacturer so you know who made it? I guess I don’t Know a lot about what goes into actually making a lab grown diamond
 
Tubbsmalone said:
For resale purposes? I’m not interested in it as an investment. I know it’s odd but I would prefer an earth mined diamond. Just a quirk for me. I know lab diamonds are beautiful but I can’t wrap my mind around still spending 10k+ for something made in a lab. Not knocking it. Just not for me. I’ve seen some beautiful laser drilled stones but don’t have a way to actually find someone or some vendor that can point me in the direction to purchase.
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I should clarify. I know a laser drilled diamond might not hold its value compared to an untreated one. However a lab grown diamond value seems like a bigger risk because there is always going to be a newer, better synthetic process.
 
Both mmd and treated diamonds have potential low resale values.
Other than ebay where some near scammers still push it mmd has killed the treated diamond market.
 
I think there is a reason you can't find what you are looking for from most vendors. I would look at MMD.

I don't think that a laser drilled stone is more appealing or a better value.
 
I dont think a laser drilled stone will hold value better than mmd. I would NOT spend that much $ on a drilled stone. I would instead buy a stone with a great $1 upgrade policy and continue upgrading until you get the size you want
 
Tubbsmalone said:
I am on the hunt for a new diamond. * * * I’m thinking that going with a laser drilled (not filled) diamond might keep me in my budget however, I’m not seeing that search option on any of the reputable diamond databases.
Can someone point me in the right direction as to where I could find a good source for GIA laser drilled stones? Or are they few and far between?
Click to expand...

My suggestion: contact Jonathan Weingarten of Distinctive Gems
www.distinctivegem.com

Exclusive Ideal Cut Diamonds | Distinctive Gem Inc.

The home of Distinctive and August Vintage diamonds online. The world's first patented ideal vintage cut diamonds in way of oval, cushion and old European cut round diamonds.
www.distinctivegem.com www.distinctivegem.com
and ask if he will assist you. When Jonathan was with his family's business -- Good Old Good on Long Island (NYC metro area) -- he put together this web page re clarity-enhanced diamonds, with photos and videos; the lower half of the page discusses laser-drilled diamonds:
www.goodoldgold.com

Clarity Enhanced Diamonds

What is a clarity enhanced diamond? There are many ways to enhance a diamond clarity. Discover how
www.goodoldgold.com www.goodoldgold.com

The reasons for my suggestion:
  • You'll see from that GOG web page that Jonathan is not dismissive of customers thinking about such diamonds
  • Jonathan values cut-light performance, so won't be trying to convince you to buy a "dud" diamond
  • I believe he is happy to serve as a diamond "concierge," i.e., source stones outside of his own inventory (he was advertising that service via "banners" here on PS, but I'm not seeing one of those right now), and lastly,
  • should you change your mind and consider MMDs, he would be a good source for that as well
P.S. Think you would enjoy this video of a webinar that Wink Jones (High Performance Diamonds) did for PriceScope years ago re the dramatic enhancement, thanks to laser drilling, of a client's inherited diamond:
 
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If I were in the market for a laser drilled diamond, David at DBL
( @Rockdiamond ) would also be on my short list to call.
 
Hi Tubbs!
In general- laser drilling is used when a stone has a black carbon spot that someone believes will look better if it was a white spot.
It’s really that simple.
Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
The laser drills a channel to the carbon spot. Then the diamond is boiled in acid and which bleaches the black carbon.
But you’re left with the little canals created by the laser.

But when I’m looking for a bargain priced stone, I don’t limit candidates based on the sort of “defect”.
Sometimes a black spot is less visible than a white spot.
Also- there’s no specific manner to search for laser drilled stones.
My advice would be to do more general searching. Find a vendor you’re comfortable with.
I hope this helps.
 
So many other factors to compromise on without having to resort to this, imo.

You say this is not an "investment" for you but you want it to retain some value, yes? Otherwise, just take an amazing vacation for $25K.
 
LilAlex said:
So many other factors to compromise on without having to resort to this, imo.

You say this is not an "investment" for you but you want it to retain some value, yes? Otherwise, just take an amazing vacation for $25K.
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Well, an amazing, $25G vacation won't leave her with a roughly 4 ct diamond, which is what she wants.
 
Natural diamonds do tend to increase in value, long-term, but the secondary market is not consumer friendly. People who try to sell their diamond to a jewelry store are often shocked to find they’ll only get back 30-40% of what they paid.

One way to mitigate this is finding a seller with a full credit upgrade policy. Under such a policy the full amount you pay remains available for you to apply again to a different diamond, apples to apples, for the duration of that policy. Terms vary. Some sellers want 2x the original spend to upgrade. Others will entertain upgrade for any diamond that's more expensive.

There are now lab grown sellers offering like-kind upgrades, meaning - if you buy a 1.00 G VS2 ideal cut today - its future upgrade value will be whatever a 1.00 G VS2 ideal cut happens to be selling for on that future day you decide to upgrade.
 
MollyMalone said:
My suggestion: contact Jonathan Weingarten of Distinctive Gems
www.distinctivegem.com

Exclusive Ideal Cut Diamonds | Distinctive Gem Inc.

The home of Distinctive and August Vintage diamonds online. The world's first patented ideal vintage cut diamonds in way of oval, cushion and old European cut round diamonds.
www.distinctivegem.com www.distinctivegem.com
and ask if he will assist you. When Jonathan was with his family's business -- Good Old Good on Long Island (NYC metro area) -- he put together this web page re clarity-enhanced diamonds, with photos and videos; the lower half of the page discusses laser-drilled diamonds:
www.goodoldgold.com

Clarity Enhanced Diamonds

What is a clarity enhanced diamond? There are many ways to enhance a diamond clarity. Discover how
www.goodoldgold.com www.goodoldgold.com

The reasons for my suggestion:
  • You'll see from that GOG web page that Jonathan is not dismissive of customers thinking about such diamonds
  • Jonathan values cut-light performance, so won't be trying to convince you to buy a "dud" diamond
  • I believe he is happy to serve as a diamond "concierge," i.e., source stones outside of his own inventory (he was advertising that service via "banners" here on PS, but I'm not seeing one of those right now), and lastly,
  • should you change your mind and consider MMDs, he would be a good source for that as well
P.S. Think you would enjoy this video of a webinar that Wink Jones (High Performance Diamonds) did for PriceScope years ago re the dramatic enhancement, thanks to laser drilling, of a client's inherited diamond:
Click to expand...

Thank you SO much!!!
 
Tubbsmalone said:
What does DBL stand for?
Click to expand...

Diamonds by Lauren (in NYC):

Fancy Colored Diamond Jewelry

Featuring Yellow, Pink, Colorless, Champagne, Blue, Green Diamonds. Custom made rings, stud earrings, Canary Necklaces, from New York City
www.diamondsbylauren.com
The owner, David Friedlander, posts here on PS as Trade Member Rockdiamond -- and is the author of post #13 in this thread ;))
 
Tubbsmalone said:
What does DBL stand for?
Click to expand...
MollyMalone said:
Diamonds by Lauren (in NYC):

Fancy Colored Diamond Jewelry

Featuring Yellow, Pink, Colorless, Champagne, Blue, Green Diamonds. Custom made rings, stud earrings, Canary Necklaces, from New York City
www.diamondsbylauren.com
The owner, David Friedlander, posts here on PS as Trade Member Rockdiamond -- and is the author of post #13 in this thread ;))
Click to expand...


I suggested David, because he’s had them in the past. I don’t think he actively advertises them though.
He’s open to unconventional beauties. If that’s the parameter you wish you compromise on, for your size and budget - I think he’s be worth giving a call direct to- to feel it out.
you can find his contact info for private convo in his tag line.
 
@Tubbsmalone - Here is a a 2013 lab report re a laser-drilled diamond that GIA graded as VS2; the laser hole is the teeny solid red dot on the plotting diagram & Laser Drill Hole is specified as one of the Clarity Characteristics:

GIA - Report Check

www.gia.edu www.gia.edu

This 2020 report shows that GIA's formatting has changed since 2013: there is no longer a Clarity Characteristics section & the laser drill hole notation does not appear in the Comments section -- but it is designated as such on the plotting diagram:

Twenty years ago, "buzz" arose re a new "Kiduah Meyuhad" (special drill in Hebrew) method of laser clarity enhancement that did not present a hole on the diamond's surface; at the time, GIA told Rapaport that technique would be reported as "Internal laser drilling is not shown":

Diamonds.net - GIA Identifies New Laser Drilling Treatment

(Rapaport…April 17, 2000) The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) reports that its Gem Trade Laboratory has discovered a new laser drilling treatment that does not have the surface-reaching drill hole traditionally associated with laser drilling. In traditional laser drilling, a hole drilled...
www.diamonds.net

But maybe KM has fallen out of favor? My Google search failed to retrieve a diamond currently marketed as having been KM-enhanced or a GIA report of any vintage indicating that treatment.
 
Do vendors like JA or brilliance carry laser drilled GIA stones?
 
Oh, thank you, @mrs-b , for your kind words - that was so sweet of you to say =)
 
@Tubbsmalone - I imagine you've already seen the website for Hadar Diamonds out in California. It's the only online retailer I've found that makes of a point of letting you know they offer clarity- enhanced and laser-drilled diamonds. The website's Search function allows you to retrieve only those diamonds that have been laser-drilled, altho' there's nothing in their current inventory that meets your criteria.

Hadar Diamonds, Inc.

Hadar Diamonds, Inc. - HPHT diamonds, GIA certified diamonds, laser drilled diamonds, clarity enhanced diamonds, and lavish diamond engagement rings at an affordable price.
www.hadardiamonds.com www.hadardiamonds.com

S&I Diamond Drilling, Inc. in NYC's Diamond District is the business entity launched (according to the New York State corporation database) in the 80's by the Perlman brothers, credited with being the first to use laser-drilling as a means of diamond clarity enhancement. It's still in business, with Ivan Perlman (2nd generation of the family) as the current CEO. and specializing in supplying laser-filled diamonds, diamond irradiation, fracture filling. diamond boiling, etc.

S&I Diamonds

www.sidiamondsny.com www.sidiamondsny.com
But it seems they are "to the trade only," won't deal with retail customers. Even if they were willing to deal with you, I think it could be a cumbersome, exasperating process since they are clearly not set up to handle retail customers, and you -- understandably enough, not being in the diamond trade -- will need-want more time and "hand-holding" than is the norm for a diamond wholesaler whose customers are others in the trade. So that's another reason imo to enlist the services of someone like Jonathan Weingarten to be your liaison-navigator with S&I Diamond Drilling or any one of the other, similar wholesalers.

Hope you'll keep us posted on the progress of your journey; your experiences could be useful information for others :))
 
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As mentioned by @MollyMalone, it’s highly unlikely S&I will talk with you directly. However, they should be willing to provide some contact information of vendors they deal with that can and will talk with you.

On a side note, I think most stones in that size and dollar range are going to have some concessions of some sort. It’s about finding balance in what you value most.

if you have some wiggle room in your budget this stone shows some promise.

GIA XXX 4.20 K-SI1 @ $31,407

B6F74560-279D-4D50-823F-3C82E5A4D296.jpegD81FC5B4-4822-42A6-8287-6F502E60E7C2.jpeg
 
Is it just me or does this seem like one big commercial for laser-drilled diamonds courtesy of the Malone family? :lol-2:
 
LilAlex said:
Is it just me or does this seem like one big commercial for laser-drilled diamonds courtesy of the Malone family? :lol-2:
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:rolleyes:

I think it's entirely possible that Tubbs will end up going a different route. But as evidenced by her post @ #22, she hasn't yet abandoned the thought of a laser-drilled stone, is still wondering if she can find such a stone that meets her criteria -- even after others opined they would not consider such a purchase & John Pollard helpfully informed her that there are currently MMD vendors who have a full credit, buy-back policy. If you still think it's weird I consequently suggested additional possibilities, I can live with that.
 
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